Pakistan stares at economic crisis; is there a way out?

Without IMF’s support under the existing $6 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), Pakistan’s massive gross external financing will be at risk, The News International, one of the largest English dailies in Pakistan, reported.

The World Bank and Asian Development Bank have already suspended loan programmes to the country. But the two multilateral creditors will continue to disburse project loans, which are likely to be very low given Pakistan’s capacity to implement projects.

The IMF has asked Pakistan to remove distortions in the taxing system and align its varied GST exemptions and rates with the standard rate of 17 percent.

Pakistan is, however, opposed to the idea as it believes the move will further marginalise the agriculture sector.

On October 11, the World Bank, in its International Debt Statistics 2022 report, said Pakistan was one of the top 10 countries with the largest external debt. The country was eligible for the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report also said Pakistan's foreign debt rose 8 percent in 2020 to $108.53 billion from $100.83 billion in 2019. Net inflows from private lenders increased by 15 percent during the period to $14 billion, but mostly represented rollovers and extension of new credits by commercial banks under IMF programmes.

Foreign direct investment inflows to Pakistan fell 5 percent from the previous year to $1.9 billion in 2020. FDI inflows were mainly in power generation and the telecom sector from British and Chinese investors.

Credit rating agencies are likely to further lower Pakistan’s ratings, making it difficult for the cash-strapped country to raise funds through international bonds issue, The News International reported.